Body of 2nd missing boater found in Lake Jesup

Volusia deputies discover body of Charles T. Jackson

Posted: 3:25 PM, January 04, 2013Updated: 3:25 PM, January 04, 2013

OVIEDO, Fla. - The body of a second missing boater was found floating in Lake Jesup on Friday, according to wildlife officials.

The body of Charles T. Jackson, 26, of Deltona, the second of two men who disappeared Saturday, was found floating in the lake by Volusia deputies about halfway between Black Hammock and Bird Island in about 6 feet of water, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said.

There were no apparent signs of trauma to the body.

FWC officers found the body of the other boater, Jason M. Cobb, 30, of Osteen, on Wednesday.

Jackson and Cobb were reported missing a week ago after they did not return home from a boating trip on Lake Jesup.

The two men had launched at Lemon Bluff about 5:30 p.m. Dec. 28 and drove the boat across the lake to the Black Hammock fish camp. The two reportedly left Black Hammock in the boat around 1:30 a.m. Dec. 29, heading back to Lemon Bluff but hadn't been seen since.

A friend found the empty vessel on the north shoreline of Lake Jesup approximately three-quarters of a mile north of Black Hammock about 12 hours after the two left the fish camp.

FWC investigators suspect the men were somehow ejected from the vessel. Two life jackets, two paddles and keys to their truck were found on the boat.

"This has been a difficult and frustrating week for the family and friends of Charles and Jason, but this will bring some final closure for everyone," said Lt. Jeff Hudson, FWC incident commander.

The Seminole, Volusia and Orange county sheriff's offices, the FWC and the Guardian Angels from Patrick Air Force Base searched by vessel, helicopter, fixed-wing aircraft and by foot since Saturday afternoon. In addition, hundreds of friends and family of the men organized their own searches.

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